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CTA board approves omnibus package that reallocates state funds, advances regional day pass and several contracts

2934051 · April 9, 2025

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Summary

The Chicago Transit Authority Board on April 9 approved an omnibus package of ordinances and contracts that reprogrammed state capital savings into upcoming projects, authorized 2025 co-promotional agreements with the City, advanced the Regional Day Pass pilot and approved six contract awards.

The Chicago Transit Authority Board on April 9 approved an omnibus package of ordinances and contracts that reprograms state capital savings into upcoming station projects, authorizes co-promotional activity with the City of Chicago, advances the regional day pass pilot, and places six contracts on the board omnibus for final approval.

Why it matters: The actions move funding and partnerships into projects and programs CTA officials said are already in construction or ready to start, and bundle multiple routine approvals into a single omnibus vote that the board approved by roll call.

Votes at a glance - Capital Improvement Program amendment (Ordinance amending Ordinance 024-143): Approved and placed on omnibus; increases the CIP by $23,438,742 to move Rebuild Illinois savings into Forest Park modernization Phase 1 and the California Blue Line station ASAP project. Motion to place on omnibus moved by Director Jha and seconded by Director Ortiz; roll-call vote recorded as Yes (Director Raquijo, Director Ortiz, Chairman Barclay, Director Jaques, Director Jha, Director Eady). - Co-promotional trade agreement with City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) for 2025: Approved on the omnibus. The agreement gives CTA unsold interior car-card advertising space and dedicated event presence in exchange for event signage, digital promotion and limited on-site space for CTA at major events including Taste of Chicago and the Air and Water Show. - Amendment to Intergovernmental Agreement for the Regional Day Pass Pilot Program (RTA/Metra/PACE/CTA): Approved on the omnibus. The regional day pass will allow unlimited travel across CTA, Metra and PACE for 24 hours; staff stated the pilot price will be $9.50 on weekends and $10.00 weekdays. - Six contracts placed on omnibus, including technology blanket purchases (contracts G1'G3, Carahsoft referenced) and awards for transit operations, infrastructure and communications: Approved on the omnibus. - Collective bargaining agreement with International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District 8: Approved in open session following closed-session review and placed on the omnibus approval.

Board procedure and timing: Committee review occurred earlier in the morning; board members moved to place the three ordinances and six contracts on the omnibus and then voted to approve the omnibus in a single roll-call sequence. Multiple motions to place items on the omnibus were moved by Director Jha and seconded by Director Ortiz. Roll-call votes recorded unanimous or near-unanimous support as shown in meeting minutes.

What staff said: Tom McCone, chief financial officer, summarized the CIP amendment and explained the increase of $23,438,742 reflects available Rebuild Illinois savings from projects nearing completion. Molly Papi, chief planning and innovation officer, summarized the Regional Day Pass amendment and the joint work with RTA, Metra and PACE to launch the pilot.

Next steps: Staff said the funds will be programmed into Forest Park modernization Phase 1 and the California Blue Line station ASAP project and that the regional day pass pilot is expected to launch soon. The board indicated it will receive additional briefings on implementation details as projects and pilots proceed.